Holidays are a great chance to let your hair down and get involved with activities which you wouldn’t be able to most other times of the year. That said, some things are more worth doing than others. Today, let’s run through five stupid things which you should avoid doing when you’re on holiday.

Taking items from hotel fridges

This is one of the biggest rookie mistakes you can possibly make when you head off on a holiday. The price of food and drink in the small fridges provided in hotel rooms is extortionate at the best of times, so save yourself a pretty penny or two by avoiding consuming any items.

We’d actually advise refraining from opening the fridge door altogether, with some reports out there suggesting hotels have even gone as far as to install motion sensor devices which can detect when you open doors and charge you every time you do. Best to just not go near them.

Not trying to fit in

While we wouldn’t suggest going above and beyond to act as much like a local as possible, it’s never a smart move to make no conscious effort to blend in a touch. This can be as simple as talking obnoxiously loudly in your native tongue, to acting in a very “touristy” manner.

The locals won’t hold it massively against you if you’re acting a little differently, but it could make you a target for theft if you’re sticking out like a sore thumb.

Leaving things lying around

It sounds like an overtly obvious thing to point out, but if you leave items lying around when you’re on your adventures, you’re going to find yourself have a very bad time. Don’t place your items down for even a second overseas if you’re going to leave them unattended.

This is a sure-fire way of losing any insurance cover you have on them. Placing your possessions in view of potential thieves when inside your car is also likely to see you lose your coverage. Don’t get caught out.

Staying in your resort

You’ve just arrived at one of the most sort after holiday destinations in the world. What’s the first thing you do? If you said check out the hotel pool, you’ve sadly fallen into a category of traveller you should probably want to avoid.

All-inclusive holidays are certainly good when it comes to thinking about your pocket, but they do restrict you from getting out and experiencing the natural culture of the surrounding areas. If you’re happy with that, fair play to you. However, if you came to experience more than the hotel bar, don’t waste all your time there.

Showing no respect for the locals

Yes, you’re on holiday in an exciting foreign destination – but that doesn’t mean you have a right to think you run the place. Playing loud music, causing property damage or just generally being disruptive is not part of having fun. Or rather, it shouldn’t be.

Remember, for the locals this isn’t some wondrous foreign paradise, it’s their own. Be mindful of them at all times and make sure to show them respect throughout the time you spend there. They don’t need to be unsettled from their daily routines.

Avoid doing these stupid things on your next vacation and you’ll find yourself having a much better time in the process.

Family cruises are a fantastic way of seeing more of the world without having to deal with the hassle of taking multiple flights. Sailing the seas with your family doesn’t have to be expensive. Follow these money saving tips and you can enjoy an affordable family cruise.

When you do want to take a trip onto dry land, explore the area yourselves rather than booking an excursion. Do a little research before your trip and you’ll be able to plan the exact places that you want to see and you can adjust your budget according to entry prices. If you book tickets for major attractions in advance you may even be able to bag yourself a discount! Plus, this way you’ll get to see the parts of the area that you and your family want to see rather than what the rest of your group may want to see.

Save your wine

Ordering a bottle of wine to enjoy with your dinner? If you don’t finish it then be sure not to waste it! Ask your waiter to cork it and save it for another night. After all, you’ll be travelling on board for at least a week so there will be plenty more opportunities to have a glass with dinner.

The on-board entertainment that’s available on cruises is always impressive. Plus, the best news is that the entertainment continues even when the ship is anchored at port! Live music, quizzes and evening shows are among the things that you and your family can enjoy. Save money by spending a few of your nights enjoying these activities on board rather than heading off the ship.

Pack appropriately

Travelling around the world on a cruise? Pack appropriately for all weather conditions and you’ll cut out the expense of last minute shopping trips while you’re away. Getting caught in rainy or cold weather is never pleasant, but if you’re properly prepared then you can save money by avoiding rushed, and inevitably overpriced, purchases. Not sure what to pack? Take a look at our round the world packing list and you’ll be prepared to face the weather of all climates and seasons.

Prepare for your cruise by researching your destinations and planning your packing list and you’ll be able to make the most of your trip without emptying out your wallet!

Whether you’re taking a grand journey to the southern hemisphere, or are attempting a road trip around your own nation, there are a few must-pack items that every traveller will need to take. So here are the essential clothes and gadgets that will keep you warm and entertained on your travels!

Strong boots

Those sneakers just aren’t gonna cut it if you’re trekking across the great outdoors. And the range of hiking boots that you can find at the Gore Tex website quickly shows how modern footwear has evolved to a variety of terrain. Although brands like Hi-Tech and L.L. Bean might cost a little more, it’s important to remember that they’ll last many years and won’t let you down halfway across your journey.

Quality Jacket

Similarly, having a jacket that’s durable and capable of handling variety of weathers is another travel must-have. Respected companies like North Face and Jack Wolfskin have a good selection of styles that will keep you warm whilst staying breathable should the temperatures rise. And these innovative travel jackets could even help you cut down on those airplane luggage costs!

Versatile Backpack

Modern travel requires us to carry around everything from smartphones to travel documents and first-aid products. This is why there’s been a real competition to manufacture the most flexible travel backpack. So make sure that you get one that has enough compartments to keep everything separate, whilst being portable to carry around, and just compact enough to fit in that overhead airplane locker!

Modern Smartphone

Whether it’s using Google Maps to find your hotel, or even an airline’s online check-in app, a smartphone is now an indispensable part of the modern travel experience. And your mobile device can help keep you entertained whilst on the go too. Deezer is a great app for soundtracking your travels, Amazon Prime can add a Hollywood touch to your hotel room, and Lucky Nugget Casino is a suitable app to be in your game folder for its quick and easy table and slots gaming attractions.

Battery Pack

And what use are those streaming services and mobile casino games unless your smartphone is charged. Thankfully there’s a great selection of battery packs for Android and iOS devices out there that can not only add serious time to your smartphone, but keep it better protected on your travels too!

In the past, traveling has had its bit of risks and rewards. For the most part the traveler could be confident in their travels so long as he or she had a watchful eye. And while the traditional precautions have not changed, the methodology in which thieves and criminals are taking to obtain personal data, finances, and such has. It is a digital age, filled with 3D models, aps, videos, and as such the smartphone, mobile devices, tablets, and other electronics are being used as the means in which to perform criminal acts. How can you, the traveler, protect yourself? Here are 3 ways.

Have an RFID blocking wallet

Wallets typical are the means in which all of our financial information is carried when we travel. The bad news is that the newer technology, specifically the RFID chip which is located on these cards has your personal and financial information stored within. Even your driver’s license has an RFID chip (usually a silver circle with the state emblem on it). Because the information is right there, and because the RFID is an electronic scan able device, thieves have developed scanners to take data from RFIDs. To protect yourself from such happening (as you would be totally unaware that his is occurring as some scanners can gather the information from quite a distance), have a RFID wallet. Basically, the wallet has a thin sheet of metal constructed into the walls of the wallet which block signals from going in or from coming out. You can tell that a wallet is RFID block (1) by the label which will specifically state that it is a RFID scan block wallet (2) by the thin design of the walls which keep the leather and the metal tight and (3) there will be a slight crinkle when you open and close the wallet from the metal bending. There are several companies online which showcase their RFID wallets, some even including a 3D model of the wallet with customizable features. You are sure to be able to find one that suits your style and needs.

Password Protect all your devices

If you have a computer, laptop, mobile tablet, or phone ensure that you have a password protection set on the device, especially if you are ever planning to leave it in your hotel room. While we do not want to think that a maid, janitor, or maintenance person would use the computer or steal information by accessing it from your computer. It does happen. While in the past one only needed to worry about locking up jewelry and cash in the room’s safe, today we should worry about our assets online and in our digital and electronic devices.

When setting a password, ensure that it is something that you remember, but at the same time make it something which cannot be guessed easily. Try to avoid anniversary dates, birthdays, and social security numbers. If you must use such combine it with something random yet memorable such as (and this is purely made up) RedridinghoodsDragon22982. Note that it is long that it has numbers and letters, and that it is easily remembered as it is unique.

Don’t blog about tomorrow’s plans

The best way to avoid setting yourself up for getting robbed or worse is to keep a level of ambiguity while on your travels. Do not give out information which is not necessary. Where the traveler should know not to give out plans, places, and information to strangers on his or her travels, often this is exactly what occurs just in digital format. A traveler goes onto their blog and they give all the information about where they are going and what they are going to see and do. And while this is all done to build up the anticipation for the next day’s travel blog, it also gives any criminal full access to your schedule. Plus, anyone who follows you at home now knows that you are away from your house and can take advantage of the situation. The best method is to wait until you return. Keep notes in a journal or on a password protected 3d journal and then fill in the information on your blog when you are safely back home.

Above all trust your instincts

When traveling, trust your instincts. They are usually spot on. If something about an area or a person seems off, take note. Have fun when you travel, take pictures, write about your adventures, but be safe. It is a world of wonder, don’t let anyone ruin yours by being unprepared.

We’ve all got our own version of the 100 places to see before we die, and there are certainly locations that fall onto pretty much everyone’s lists. Iconic sites such the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, and the Grand Canyon are universally accepted as absolute must visits for any intrepid traveller. However, the globe is littered with absolutely spectacular sites that are perhaps less well known but just as worthwhile. Let’s look at a few mind-blowing places that you might want to consider adding to your personal bucket list:

Phang Nga Bay – Thailand

Rising vertically out of the pristine waters of the bay, the sheer limestone cliffs and karsts of Phang Nga cast eerie shadows over the otherwise sun-drenched seascape. Paddling around these rock formations and mangroves can make you feel like you are in a movie until you realise that nearby James Bond Island was, in fact, one of the primary settings for the “The Man With The Golden Gun”. You can also drop in for lunch and a spot of shopping at Koh Panyee, a village built almost entirely on stilts that rise out of the water. Take note, Phang Nga is not readily accessible to the regular traveller, however, companies such as Travezl offer outstanding tours that will allow you to experience this incredible spot at a reasonable price.

Zion National Park – Utah, USA

While it’s “Grander” cousin in Arizona garners the vast majority of the attention, Zion is truly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on the planet. The Grand Canton’s vastness makes it a little difficult to fully grasp, even when you are inside it. By contrast, the magnificent sandstone walls of Zion are far more up-close and personal, and will leave you with a feeling of genuine inspiration. It’s worth spending a day there so that you can experience the changing colours of the cliffs as the sun rises and falls.

Blyde River Canyon – South Africa

There is a reason why they call it “G-d’s Window”. The sublime vistas of Blyde will literally leave you breathless. If you ever were to find G-d, this would be the place. If you can tear your eyes away from the the views for long enough, there is some seriously amazing white water rafting for the thrill seekers, as well as more sedate river cruises for the mellow traveller. World-class fishing, hiking, abseiling, horse riding, mountain biking, this little-known diamond of Africa has it all.

Sapporo Ice Festival – Hokkaido, Japan

This annual event in Japan’s northernmost island is an unbelievable spectacle. Every winter, teams from around the world descend on the frigid outpost to create snow and ice sculptures, unlike anything you have ever seen. Typically, there are over 400 individual sculptures to view at 3 main sites. The incredible detail will absolutely blow you away. While in Sapporo, you can feast on the famous and absolutely delicious local version of Ramen noodles, finished off with some of the region’s exceptional ice creams that come in bizarre flavours, such as beer and garlic. They may sound gross, but take it from me, they are beyond divine.

Tikal – Guatemala

The ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal rise out of the lush, green jungle are so beautifully preserved you can almost close your eyes and imagine that they are still populated. Whether due to the relatively remote location, or the political instability, Tikal has never had the high profile of other Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, however, it is just as breathtaking, and the smaller number of tourists give it a far more personal, relaxed feeling of tranquility.

Whatever your travel priorities, our world has a wealth of surprises waiting to be discovered. Travel hard and enjoy!